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Jared Strong

Jared Strong is an investigative reporter for The Center Square based in the Midwest. He is a lifelong Iowan who has worked for news organizations – big and small – for more than 20 years. He…

Politics
Control of Senate might hinge on liberal Muslim in Michigan

(The Center Square) – Democratic hopes of taking control of the U.S. Senate in the upcoming midterm elections are heavily dependent on retaining an open seat in Michigan. Read More

September 21, 2026
Government
Illinois attorney general has paid private attorneys $2 million in recent years

(The Center Square) – Illinois’ top state attorney has paid more than $2 million in the past three years to private law firms, several of which have contributed to… Read More

July 9, 2026
Culture
Sizable sick leave payouts cost Minnesota county $2 million each year

(The Center Square) – Agreements that allow St. Louis County employees to accumulate and cash out their unused sick leave when they retire have led to several payments of… Read More

June 23, 2026
Illinois
Illinois diversity commissioner did not properly disclose $23K side job

(The Center Square) – A member of Illinois' highly-paid diversity commission disclosed a side job to state officials in a manner that masked the $22,500 she earned for it,… Read More

March 2, 2026
Politics
WATCH: Illinois diversity leaders dodge questions as they slip farther from goals

(The Center Square) — Illinois’ highly paid diversity commissioners dodged in-person questions from The Center Square last week about their decisions that have, in effect, made it more difficult… Read More

February 23, 2026